In most cases, no — it is not legal to refuse cash in New York. Since March 21, 2026, a statewide law has required food stores and retail establishments across New York to accept cash for in-person purchases, and New York City has enforced a nearly identical rule since 2020.1Office of the New York State Attorney General. Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments A business that posts a “cards only” sign at its register is breaking the law, and it also cannot charge cash-paying customers more than card-paying ones.
What the Law Requires
Under General Business Law 396-ii, any food store or retail establishment in New York must accept cash for goods or services sold in person.2New York State Senate. New York General Business Law 396-II – Cashless Policies Prohibited The definitions are broad. A food store is any place selling food or beverages for consumption on or off the premises, pushcarts and food stands included. A retail establishment is any place selling consumer goods or providing services at retail. Banks and trust companies are excluded.
Inside the five boroughs, the New York City Administrative Code sets the same core requirement, so both laws apply at once.3American Legal Publishing. NYC Administrative Code 20-840 – Cashless Establishments Prohibited Outside the city, only the state law is in play. Either way, the price on the shelf is the price a cash customer pays.
When a Business Can Legally Refuse Cash
The statewide law carves out three situations where a store is allowed to turn cash down.2New York State Senate. New York General Business Law 396-II – Cashless Policies Prohibited
- Bills larger than $20. A store can refuse any denomination above twenty dollars. Handing over a $50 or $100 bill for a small purchase gives the cashier a legal reason to say no.
- Orders placed by phone, mail, or internet. The cash-acceptance rule covers in-person transactions. Remote orders — including orders paid through a mobile app — are not covered. But if you place an order online and then pay at the store in person, the business still has to take your cash.1Office of the New York State Attorney General. Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments
- On-site prepaid card kiosks. A store that provides an in-store device to convert cash into a prepaid card can direct cash customers to it. The store cannot charge a fee for the conversion, and cannot force the card to be loaded with more than one dollar above the purchase amount.
The mobile-app situation catches a lot of people. If you walk into a shop, order at the counter, and are told to pay through the store’s app, that transaction is happening on the premises and cash has to be accepted. The internet-transaction exemption only covers orders you actually place remotely.
Cash Discounts and Credit Card Surcharges
Charging a cash customer more than a card customer is prohibited, but the reverse framing is allowed. Since February 2024, a business can pass its credit card processing fees along to card-paying customers as long as it displays the total credit card price up front, either alongside the cash price or on its own with a cash discount advertised.4New York State Home (Governor Kathy Hochul). Governor Hochul Announces New Law to Clarify Disclosure of Credit Card Surcharges Goes Into Effect Sunday, February 11 Tacking on a “processing fee” at checkout after showing a single price is not allowed, and the surcharge cannot exceed what the credit card company actually charges the business.5Department of State. DOS DCP – Credit Card Surcharge One Page Reference Guide Debit card transactions cannot be surcharged at all.
Penalties and How to Report a Violation
Both the state and city laws use the same fine structure. A first violation carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000, and each subsequent violation up to $1,500.1Office of the New York State Attorney General. Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments3American Legal Publishing. NYC Administrative Code 20-840 – Cashless Establishments Prohibited Fines apply per violation, so a store that repeatedly refuses cash customers can rack them up.
If a business refuses your cash, gather what you can: the store’s name and address, the date and time, and any receipts, screenshots, or photos from the visit.
Inside New York City
File with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). You can submit a complaint online through the DCWP website without creating an account, or send it by mail or fax.6NYC.gov. File Complaint – DCWP
Anywhere in New York State
File with the Office of the Attorney General, online through the AG’s website or by calling 1-800-771-7755.1Office of the New York State Attorney General. Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments In New York City, you can file with DCWP, the Attorney General, or both.